ISTANBUL & 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION 6 Nights, 7 Days
Day 1:Arrival Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul. Our transfer man will be ready to meet you at Istanbul Ataturk Airport upon your arrival. Transfer to your hotel. The rest of your day at leisure. Stay overnight in Istanbul. (No meals)
Day 2:Full Day Istanbul Tour
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul. Firstly we visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia, a former Orthodox basilica, later a mosque and now a museum. Famous in particular for its massive dome. It was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 A.D. The Hippodrome; the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi still survive. We then continue to the Blue Mosque, which owes it’s name to the exquisite tiles adorning it’s interior, and the famous Grand Bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. After lunch we visit the amazing Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign from 1465 to 1856. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 3:Half day Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul to Izmir (flight)
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel in the morning. After a brief visit to the 17th Century Spice Bazaar, we embark on breathtaking cruise along the Bosphorus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. After the cruise, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir and transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Izmir. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4:Pergamon & Smyrna
Early depart from hotel for Pergamum. Visit to the Asclepieion, one of the major healing centres of antiquity, Acropolis where the monumental buildings or herons donated by the kings of Pergamum during the Hellenistic period. The Temple of Serapis, built for the Egyptian Gods in the 2nd AD. and called as the Red Courtyard and dedicated to St John. After lunch, depart for Izmir. We will visit St. Polycarp Church at Izmir(Smyrna). Stay overnight in Izmir. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5:Thyatira - Sardes & Philadelphia
After breakfast we drive to Thyatira where remains include a temple and large church. Then onto visit Philadelphia with its famous Church of Philadelphia, an important place for the spreading of the Christian faith. After lunch, we continue on to Sardis, the wealthy capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and one of the most amazing sites in Turkey. After our visits at Sardis, we will head to Pamukkale. Check-in to your hotel and stay overnight in Pamukkale.(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6: Hierapolis - Laodiceia & Pamukkale
After breakfast at the hotel we will arrive at the remains of the Ancient City of Hierapolis and the travertines. Lunch in Pamukkale. After lunch drive to Laodicea which is mentioned in Revelations by St. John and in ancient times was known as "The City of Compromise". After visiting Laodicea, drive to Kusadasi. Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7:Ephesus & Virgin Mary''s House
Spend an entire day visiting the spectacular city of Ephesus and it surrounding environments. Firstly we visit the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. Then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. After lunch visit the Basilica of St. John, and the museum. After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport to take the flight to Istanbul. End of our services. (Breakfast & Lunch)